Alcoholic Beverages 101

Beer

• Fermented from barley, wheat, or rice
• Typically brewed with hops, water, and yeast
• Styles:
  • Lager: cold-fermented, crisp, and refreshing
  • Ale: warm-fermented, fruity, and full-bodied
  • Porter: dark, roasted, and malty
  • Stout: dark, roasted, and dry
• Strength: usually 4-6% ABV (alcohol by volume)

Wine

• Fermented from grapes
• Types:
  • Red: fermented with grape skins, rich and tannic
  • White: fermented without grape skins, crisp and fruity
  • Rosé: fermented with grape skins for a short period, pink and fruity
  • Sparkling: carbonated, celebratory, and festive
• Regions:
  • Old World: Europe, traditional, and terroir-driven
  • New World: non-European, modern, and fruit-forward
• Strength: usually 12-15% ABV

Spirits

• Distilled from fermented grains, fruits, or vegetables
• Types:
  • Whiskey: aged in oak, smoky, and complex
  • Vodka: neutral, crisp, and clean
  • Rum: sugarcane-based, sweet, and tropical
  • Tequila: agave-based, strong, and savory
  • Gin: botanical-infused, dry, and refreshing
• Strength: usually 35-40% ABV or higher

Cocktails

• Mixed drinks combining spirits, juices, and flavorings
• Classics:
  • Old Fashioned: whiskey, bitters, and sugar
  • Martini: gin, vermouth, and olives
  • Margarita: tequila, lime, and triple sec
  • Mojito: rum, mint, and lime
• Glassware:
  • Highball: tall and slender for fizzing drinks
  • Old Fashioned: short and sturdy for whiskey-based drinks
  • Martini: conical and elegant for gin-based drinks
• Garnishes:
  • Fruits: citrus, berries, and cherries
  • Herbs: mint, basil, and rosemary
  • Spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves

Beer

• Fermented from barley, wheat, or rice with hops, water, and yeast
• Styles:
  • Lager: cold-fermented, crisp, and refreshing
  • Ale: warm-fermented, fruity, and full-bodied
  • Porter: dark, roasted, and malty
  • Stout: dark, roasted, and dry
• Strength: 4-6% ABV (alcohol by volume)

Wine

• Fermented from grapes
• Types:
  • Red: fermented with grape skins, rich and tannic
  • White: fermented without grape skins, crisp and fruity
  • Rosé: fermented with grape skins for a short period, pink and fruity
  • Sparkling: carbonated, celebratory, and festive
• Regions:
  • Old World: Europe, traditional, and terroir-driven
  • New World: non-European, modern, and fruit-forward
• Strength: 12-15% ABV

Spirits

• Distilled from fermented grains, fruits, or vegetables
• Types:
  • Whiskey: aged in oak, smoky, and complex
  • Vodka: neutral, crisp, and clean
  • Rum: sugarcane-based, sweet, and tropical
  • Tequila: agave-based, strong, and savory
  • Gin: botanical-infused, dry, and refreshing
• Strength: 35-40% ABV or higher

Cocktails

• Mixed drinks combining spirits, juices, and flavorings
• Classics:
  • Old Fashioned: whiskey, bitters, and sugar
  • Martini: gin, vermouth, and olives
  • Margarita: tequila, lime, and triple sec
  • Mojito: rum, mint, and lime
• Glassware:
  • Highball: tall and slender for fizzing drinks
  • Old Fashioned: short and sturdy for whiskey-based drinks
  • Martini: conical and elegant for gin-based drinks
• Garnishes:
  • Fruits: citrus, berries, and cherries
  • Herbs: mint, basil, and rosemary
  • Spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves